Morning came all to fast, and Aerelle had no sooner fallen asleep in her tent than Keyla came to wake her. It was a few hours past sunrise, and Keyla informed her that Mica and Elder Telimorin were just being awakened also. Skora, amazingly, was already awake and handling things as her Queen rested. The night before, Aerelle had been able to wear a robe, but now she put on her fearsome red armor from the Firesands.

"The Hand of Verthandi said that the meeting with these strangers would take place in about an hour, but that Verthandi wishes to speak with you - as well as the elf leader - beforehand," Keyla told her. "Khen and Juli went to see what they could discover about these men that the Knights found. They do not think they can get to see them - the Knights insist that there is no need to see them. Lea has breakfast for you if you need it, as well as a wash basin, given as a gift from the elves, for you to freshen up with."

Aerelle's sleeping quarters were a small room off of the main tent, and the others slept in the main room. Aerelle was not hungry, but the water felt good on her face. She had not fully bathed in a long while, and wished she had the time now. Mica would no doubt be ready by now, with Skora as her aide. Thanking Keyla, who was the only other person in the tent, Aerelle left.

She was flanked by Stinkfeet and his guard of goblins the moment she walked out, and she noticed that the small creatures were still tired from the previous night. She admired their devotion, however, and wondered if Skora also forced them to readiness. Aerelle dismissed the idea immediately after it came to mind. Skora would not associate with goblins. Aerelle was glad that her chain-mail dress was light and thin so that she couldn't quite tell the difference between it and a real dress. It had been forged with magic, and Aerelle could not doubt that. No human hand could forge something so thin, and yet have it strong and light. There were no sounds - mostly everyone was asleep still, dreaming of the banquet the night before. Her tent was now near the Castle, and once she reached the tent-flap, Magestor Esquire and his guards went to lounge around. She nodded to Phoeld, who allowed her in with no difficulty.

Instead of finding Mica and Skora, Aerelle was surprised to see Elder Telimorin. The elf was tall in the elven manner, and wore green robes that were more beautiful than Mica's best dress. His ears were also pointed in the way of the elves, and his light brown hair was bound in a braid down his back. Aerelle had not noticed the braid before, and suspected it was done this morning. A man wearing such a long braid struck her as odd, but she did not let it bother her. His eyes held the wisdom and years of his life, and he looked more awake than Aerelle imagined herself to be.

The Castle had a table and chairs, as well as two carpets and four two-pace high brass poles, which were lit on the top by Aerelle's magic. The tree that supported the tent looked more alive than it had in the previous days, and Aerelle assumed it was Telimorin's doing - if he was a wizard. The tent was a bit hot, but Aerelle had grown accustomed to ignoring heat. The flames that lit the brass poles did not emit heat, but the closed tent flap kept any heat in. Mica and Aerelle had not used the Castle too much to worry about it. She hoped it didn't get too hot once their visitors were brought in.

"Good morning, Throne Aerelle." Aerelle's eyes widened as the elf greeted her. She had been with him recently, and did not know he knew the human tongue. His words sounded foreign, but Aerelle understood them.

"Good morning, Elder Telimorin," she replied. She felt at a disadvantage - again - that she could not speak High Elven, but if he understood what she said, maybe it wasn't so bad. "Can you speak a lot?"

"A little," the Elder replied, shakily.

"Do you know where Verthandi is?" Aerelle turned her palms up and shrugged her shoulders as she asked the question to help convey her meaning. He would understand the name "Verthandi," and she hoped he would understand the rest.

"No." He shook his head for emphasis.

She sat down in one of the cushioned chairs around the table, and gestured for Telimorin to do the same. He did. She did not know what else to say. What a leader she was. Perhaps she should finally give in to the fact that Mica - and Skora - were in charge, but she was as stubborn as Ezaziel, and she would not give in. Eventually she would find her place as a leader. Verthandi had said as much.

It was not much longer after they sat down than Mica walked in, alone. She must have told Skora to stay back, realizing that the meeting now was for the leaders, and that excluded Verthandi's Hand. She greeted Aerelle and then wished Telimorin a good morning in High Elven. She sat down with Aerelle and the Elder, and the conversation started immediately.

"I don't know what these men want, but we must put our people before our emotions." Aerelle was the first to speak, and Mica seemed surprised at her words. She translated it for the elf.

"What do you mean, Aerelle?" Mica asked. "What do you think they could want?"

"I don't know. What happens if it sounds too good to be true, if they ask something of us? Do we rush in? I think not. We'll need to take our time in thinking over anything they say. It could be a trap from someone. Maybe a vampire's minion that survived Kelsan."

Mica let out a brief laugh. "Aerelle, I do not think we should worry. We are all intelligent enough to take our time in deciding. Of course our people come before our own desires."

Once she translated to Telimorin, the Elder said something, and Mica translated for Aerelle. "Elder Telimorin says that the forest always comes before the elves, but when the forest turns on its inhabitants, then the inhabitants must fight back, give in, or run. We are the inhabitants, and our people are the forest. If our people do not like our choices then they will let us know, and it will be up to us to right our wrong."

Aerelle still was not comfortable with the elves, Telimorin specifically. He was older than she by hundreds of years. At least Mica was younger. Mica had more power because she was chosen to rule by the Blessed Walls, and Telimorin was respected because he was the Eldest of the elves, safe for the one that had returned to the She'lak the first day. Aerelle was feared because she razed Kelsan. Aerelle was sure Telimorin would speak down to them once he could speak the language, but until then he would be friendly and act inferior. The three rulers would work together, but each would strive for more power and influence. Montearan politics were never so complex. And that is why it no longer exists, Aerelle thought.

"I wish we knew what they want before they get here," Aerelle confessed.

"It would make it easier," Mica agreed.

"If we knew, our thoughts would be prejudiced to our pre-assigned beliefs based on the insubstantial information given in summary, and not in entirety," Mica translated for Telimorin. He spoke like the sages of stories.

They sat in momentary silence before a knock came at the post outside. Two guards strode in, followed by Skora. Behind her came two more soldiers, and then one bare-chested man who was flanked by yet two more guards. The man had broad shoulders, and well-defined muscle. He looked as if he could easily overtake one guard, if not two alone and barehanded. With a weapon, Aerelle imaged he could inflict even more fatalities. Her wore simple brown pants and leather boots, worn from travel. His skin was tanned, but less dark in areas where he had worn a traveling bag or supplies.

"Bow in the presence of Verthandi, Avatar of the Goddess, Queen of the Silver Castle, and Lady of the Blessed Walls; and Aerelle, Throne of the Wizards of Fire, Mistress of Flame, and Bane of Kelsan; and Telimorin, Eldest among the She'lak High Elves, Savior of his People, and Foreign Sage," Skora, the Hand of Verthandi announced. Telimorin's last title was given to him by his people, for learning the humans' culture and ruling with Mica and Aerelle.

The intimidating man fell to his knees, and bowed respectfully to the three. "You may rise," Aerelle said, standing. Verthandi and Telimorin stood after her. Aerelle was determined to take advantage of this audience.

"What is it that you wish, and what is your name?"

The man's accent was hard, and the words slid together. It almost sounded as if it were a foreign tongue, but it was merely an accent. She knew that the human language was the only one this man knew. "My name is Feylon, Kaah'madrii of Kaah Aeric's Province in the United Land of Janenn."

This one simple sentence led to too many questions, and the mention of Janenn surprised all three, once Mica translated. From his looks and accent, Aerelle assumed that Janenn was the land east of the Ioun Mountains, known to her only as Land's End. It was said they were barbarians, and Ezaziel's lineage came from the men of the mountains. They were rumored to be dangerous men, who lived for war. The titles made no sense to Aerelle, but she suspected they meant a leader or a nobleman of some sort. Mica was the first to recover, probably because she knew the least of Janenn, and had no other thoughts to confuse her.

"We would like to hear your story. Guards, Skora, you may leave. We are fine here alone." The guards nodded and left immediately. Skora stood still for just a moment, pursed her lips, and then followed the guards out.

While the guards left, Telimorin moved three chairs to face the entrance, and Aerelle, Mica, and Telimorin sat, eyeing Feylon. Aerelle assumed he could kill any one of them if he wished, if not for Aerelle's magic, and perhaps Mica's mysterious healing that had been used once to raise Vern from the dead. In the terms of protection, Aerelle did not think Telimorin could offer anything. The foreign man looked as if he was built for killing, and Aerelle was curious as to what his mission was.

"Please share your tale, Kaah'madrii Feylon," Mica said.

"I come from the land of Janenn, what you people west of the mountains call the 'Land's End.' We were once a barbaric people, and some of our kind still live mountain lives, but, for the most part, we live in cities and towns, and provinces ruled by the various Kaah. Kaah are leaders, such as yourselves. It is regarding these Kaah that I come before you with Kaah Aeric's request, being his Kaah'madrii - his commander of scouts and skirmishers."

The man's words were verbally heavy, and Aerelle had a hard time understanding them. Mica, being favored by the Blessed Walls of La'adia, understood perfectly, as if this man's accent were normal to her, but Aerelle knew she had never talked to a man from the land of Janenn before. Mica told the scout that she had to translate for the Elven Elder, and then she did. "Continue, please," Aerelle said, deciding it best to save questions until later. By holding in questions, she would appear as if to understand completely - or look a complete fool.

"Our land is plagued by injustice and cruelty continued by High Kaah Anahg. Slaves have always been common in Janenn, and women always inferior, but Kaah Anahg has worsened these conditions. He has many wives, though they are not wives by title. All other women are not allowed in his castle. All the servants are privileged slaves, and he works them hard.

"That alone is not what bothers Kaah Aeric and forces him into action. All over Janenn, these laws are being enforced. Women are allowed to have no social status. Slaves and slave labor are allowed with no boundaries. Kaah now have their slaves building monuments for them, though the size of slave graves are monumental themselves, for hundreds die weekly. We have always been a strong people, and those weaker among us were enslaved. There was once a time when children born as slaves were allowed to live a life of a warrior or artisan. Now those that are born slaves will grow and die slaves.

"Kaah Aeric wishes to change this. Kaah Anahg will not hear of opposition, however. Kaah Aeric has gathered some other Kaah, but they will not be enough. Even the High Kaah's army is brutally trained, and warriors die constantly from being overworked. Kaah Aeric needs help, and, in his name, I bring this offer before you.

"In exchange for your aid in overthrowing High Kaah Anahg, we will provide you with land and food. There are plains in Janenn that have no use but for battlefields between rival Kaah. Kaah Aeric hopes to bring rivals together and restore peace and honor to all."

"He wishes to abolish the enslavement of your people?" Mica asked.

The scout only paused a moment before answering, "Yes."

"He wishes to exercise the freedom of women?"

"Yes."

"He wishes to combine your land under his lead?"

Again, Feylon paused. "He wishes to bring peace and honor to all, in respect to their station, whatever that may be."

"That does not answer the question, Kaah'madrii Feylon," Aerelle said. "So he wishes to revolt to put himself in power? What do Queen Verthandi, Elder Telimorin, and I gain from helping your Kaah Aeric raise to power?"

"I do not know what he plans, Throne Aerelle," Feylon said. He did not divert his eyes, nor sound defeated. Mica, however, was still translating when he stopped. Telimorin had said nothing, mainly because by the time he heard it, there was a new question to be answered.

"He would give us land and food? He would provide us with peace? He would let us rule our people under our laws?" Verthandi asked.

"We offer asylum to those who aid us. Kaah Aeric can provide these things to you. He may be interested in joining your people with his."

Aerelle missed a breath at Feylon's last words. He may be interested in joining your people with his. The Order of Roden would then consist of Janenn also. Or would Janenn consist of the Order of Roden and its own people? Aerelle could not allow that. Mica was still strong, but Aerelle hoped to find her place in her people's hearts. Telimorin and his elves would eventually learn the human language. The Order of Roden would be truly united, but this offer made by Kaah Aeric's commander could ruin everything.

"Who would join who?" It was Mica who asked the question. Skora had drilled her on how to take charge. Aerelle knew Skora was afraid that Verthandi and her religion would die, and did everything she thought would help keep her faith strong. Aerelle couldn't blame her, but hated that Mica beat her to the point again.

"I am not sure, Queen Verthandi," Feylon said. "I have been away from Aeric's Province for quite some time now, and I do not know what he now plans."

"Will we be welcomed?" Mica asked.

Feylon took a deep breath, and then answered, "Yes."

"That is all for now, Kaah'madrii Feylon," Aerelle announced. The title slurred off of her tongue and bounced out of her mouth. "You may return to the others who arrived with you. The Knights of the Scarlet Star and the guards will lead you back. We will contact you when we have reached a decision or decided another audience is required."

Skora was not pleased. Mica lay on her bed, translucent hair splayed about the pillow. A few candles lit the tent, as the sun outside began to fall for the day. Rainbows cast from Mica's hair shifted on the ceiling of the tent. Skora paced back and forth, rubbing her temple and eyes out of frustration.

"You agreed?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, Hand of Verthandi," Mica responded, using Skora's title. "Throne Aerelle, Elder Telimorin and myself - the three rulers of the Order of Roden - have decided." Verthandi's point was made by her use of titles.

"We will have to move again!" Skora's arms flailed wildly to emphasis the problems. "These men have called this place home. It is Nakalryn City! You will crush their morale, my Queen!"

Mica wished now that she had never insisted that Skora call her Mica and become friends with her. Had Mica decided to be the traditional Verthandi, this would not be happening, and Skora would not be arguing. Perhaps the woman needed to be reminded. "I am Queen Verthandi, Avatar of the Goddess, Skora. I am the queen to my people. I decide what is good for them, not you."

Skora stood silent, averting her eyes from Mica. In that instant, Mica wanted to take back all she had said. Just a moment before, she was fed up with Skora, now she saw the barrier between queen and subject create itself. She could not turn back, she could not show that emotions would best her. She simply had to prove to Skora that what she did was right.

"Skora, the Order of Roden was created to prevent exactly what is happening in Janenn," the land's name still felt foreign on her tongue. "Slavery, and injustice. These are the evils that the Order of Roden will vanquish. It will be a great spirit-booster. At first the people may be saddened, but they will soon realize that they fight for a just cause."

"Most Gracious," Skora replied, using one of Verthandi's other titles that she rarely used in friendly discussion, "the people want to take care of themselves. They want to live, not to die. They have just recently accepted the deaths of those at Kelsan. They will not want to fight."

"I am Queen Verthandi. They will fight for me, for themselves, for Janenn, and for Roden. Great rewards will come from this. A home among friends if we succeed. You said earlier that one of the Gowwilan towns were opposed to us here. We cannot be here if threatened by others. We are welcomed in Janenn."

"So this scout says. What if this is a trap?"

"Then the trap will be sprung. We'll just have to leap over it. Between Aerelle and myself, we can handle this."

Skora took a deep breath. "Mica, we will be travelling over the Ioun Mountains. Aerelle's Knights said that teleportation will be impossible because of the wild mana there. They said that it is worse than the Sands' mana. We will have to walk and climb. We have horses, and supplies, and other people who may not make it."

"The scout ensures us that there are ways through the mountains, and horses will be able to make the journey."

"What of food?"

"We will pack food, and Feylon says that there is wild game in the mountains. Elder Telimorin said that his elves brought more than enough food and have to stored for later use still. We will have enough. Trust me on this one, Skora."

"Yes, my queen. Is there anything else we need discussed?"

"Yes. We need to inform your spies. They will need to know where we are going. Gaining information from Balavar, Kila, and Gowwil will take more time now, but it could still prove to be beneficial. They must find a fast path through the mountains." Skora nodded her agreement, and Mica knew the spies would be informed within the next day, if they had not been already. "Also, Aerelle will lead the army, and Telimorin . . . "

Elder Telimorin sat with the other elders in their tent near the Castle. They were deep in conversation, and not many of them were pleased with the news. Telimorin himself was a little perturbed that they were leaving the Heart Lake, and moving further from the She'lak. None of the elders wished to go back now - the ones who had had left with Kaleph - but they had hoped Aerelle and Mica could cleanse it of the devouring mists. Now they were leaving, and may never see their home again.

"Was there nothing you could have said?" Elder Hiru asked.

"No, Elder," Telimorin replied. "I may have said more during the audience, but I had no time to speak, and I had nothing much to say. Our people have joined into the Order of Roden, and fight for peace and justice. Janenn is such a place of injustice and cruelty. Our peoples will fight alongside one another, and become closer."

"Why do we wish to become closer with the humans?" another elder asked.

"We will live with them, so we must get along with them. What is wrong about joining our people? They have things to offer us, and we them."

"I thought you said that there were forests in this land?" Elder Nerous said. "Why do we need to stay with these humans when we can have the forest."

"I do not know Janenn's current situation, and how large these forests are, and who controls them. Remember, the land is like an object for sale in Janenn. Men buy and keep the land as they please, and rule and protect it against the others. We may not even have our own forest when we reach Janenn."

"You don't seem very concerned, Eldest," Elder Hiru observed.

"No, I trust all will turn out in the end. Verthandi and Aerelle are sure of this, and I believe we should too. We have seen change, and so we may as well accept it. A group of our more adventurous elves have decided to journey to the Forest of Mist to see the world and meet the elves there. Throne Aerelle insists they are hostile, but our adventurers are strong and determined. I hope there is no problem with this?"

"And the messenger Daryn leaves us, too?" Elder Phero asked. Telimorin confirmed Phero's questions to be true. "Perhaps it is for the best. He talked to a disappearing girl who banishes mist, and speaks Human."

"He will only be gone until he retrieves Verthandi's ambassadors. Then he will rejoin with us in Janenn, led by more scouts who will stay behind." All the Elders knew Daryn's story the day the mist banished, and many of them laughed at it, and took it as a jest.

The discussion led deep into the night, with the robed elders speaking of all manner of topics, not just Janenn. The elves were the newest addition to the Order of Roden, but the Elders would make sure they were just as influential.

Aerelle sat in her tent along with the other mages. Keyla and Lea sat crossed-legged on a carpet, and Khen laid on his stomach not far away. Juli and Demra sat next to Khen, and Aerelle was forced to sit in her chair. The wizards had not seemed to mind moving again. Their lives were just as easily changed as a grain of sand in a sandstorm. They never stayed anywhere long anymore, and they had all come to accept that. They all had come to believe that there was danger everywhere, and that no place was any more safe that the next.

"So Daryn will be leaving?" Demra asked.

"Yes," Aerelle replied. "He will carry a message to one of the towns to retrieve the priest and warriors who are there. We will be leaving soon, and if Daryn - as well as other messengers - do not return by the time we are ready to leave, one of the Janenn will stay behind to guide them to us. He is one of the fastest messengers, so he should make it back. Thanks to you, Demra, he is able to run the message because he can speak. Verthandi and I have written letters with the details he can show others, but he has come a long way."

"Thank you, Aerelle."

"How long is this journey?" Juli asked.

"A few tendays, I'm afraid. The Knights of the Scarlet Star said that it would be impossible to transport us because of the mountains mana. It is worse than the mana of the Burning Sands, they say, and it cannot be controlled. Luckily for us, unlike the Burning Sands, it will not manifest into elementals."

"Aerelle, if it is okay, I think I will ride with Tesmar's unit," Khen said. "If you lead the army, I may as well stay where I am and fight with the soldiers."

"There is no fighting yet, Khen."

"I will stay with them." Aerelle nodded to him. Khen had found a place, and Aerelle would not take his decision from him.

The next days would be long, Aerelle suspected. Days were always long now. Nothing safe could stay good, and Aerelle reminisced of her stay in La'adia. It was perfect, and, even then, before Thad stole the Sovereign Robe and they traveled to Kledion, Aerelle knew the peace would not last. Now, they would leave what had become known as Nakalryn City, and go into the strange lands of Janenn. There was no rest for those who labored through the night, and no peace for those tormented by darkness.